U.S. patent application number 12/522903 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-15 for disconnected pedal unit in a mine-protected vehicle, in particular, a military vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to RHEINMETALL LANDSYSTEME GMBH. Invention is credited to Andreas Schramm.
Application Number | 20100089197 12/522903 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39365756 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100089197 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schramm; Andreas |
April 15, 2010 |
DISCONNECTED PEDAL UNIT IN A MINE-PROTECTED VEHICLE, IN PARTICULAR,
A MILITARY VEHICLE
Abstract
Disclosed is a vehicle pedal (1) for actuating a vehicle,
wherein the pedal includes at least two metal sheets (10, 20), i.e.
a bottom metal sheet (10) and a pedal metal sheet (20), which are
spaced apart from one another by at least two springs (14). The
bottom metal sheet (10) is provided with sides (12) that form an
angle in the front and rear. Suspension points (13) for the springs
(14) are arranged on the sides (12) while corresponding suspension
points (22) are provided on the pedal metal sheet (20). Only the
pedal metal sheet (20) is directly connected to the vehicle floor
pan by a pan-mounted pivot bearing (23) so that linear momentum is
not transmitted to the driver's foot (2) in case a mine
explodes.
Inventors: |
Schramm; Andreas;
(Magdeburg, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GRIFFIN & SZIPL, PC
SUITE PH-1, 2300 NINTH STREET, SOUTH
ARLINGTON
VA
22204
US
|
Assignee: |
RHEINMETALL LANDSYSTEME
GMBH
Kiel
DE
|
Family ID: |
39365756 |
Appl. No.: |
12/522903 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
January 11, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2008/000197 |
371 Date: |
July 10, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
74/560 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05G 1/32 20130101; G05G
1/30 20130101; G05G 1/445 20130101; Y10T 74/20888 20150115; F41H
7/046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
74/560 |
International
Class: |
G05G 1/32 20080401
G05G001/32; G05G 1/30 20080401 G05G001/30; G05G 1/445 20080401
G05G001/445 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 11, 2007 |
DE |
10 2007 002 576.0 |
Claims
1. A pedal for actuating a vehicle mounted in the vehicle, wherein
the vehicle is protected against mines, or is a military vehicle,
or is a military vehicle protected against mines, wherein the pedal
comprises: (a) at least two metal sheets including, a foot metal
sheet and a pedal metal sheet; and (b) at least two springs
disposed between the foot metal sheet and the pedal metal sheet,
wherein the foot metal sheet has first suspension points for the
springs and corresponding second suspension points are provided on
the pedal metal sheet, and the vehicle includes a vehicle floor
pan, and only the pedal metal sheet is directly connected to the
vehicle floor pan of the vehicle via a pan-mounted pivot
bearing.
2. A pedal for actuating a vehicle mounted in the vehicle according
to claim 1, wherein the foot metal sheet is mounted above the pedal
metal sheet.
3. A pedal for actuating a vehicle mounted in the vehicle according
to claim 1, wherein the springs are helical tension springs or
compression springs.
4. A pedal for actuating a vehicle mounted in the vehicle according
to claim 1, wherein the foot metal sheet has laterally mounted
contours that interact with bolts mounted on the pedal metal
sheet.
5. A pedal for actuating a vehicle mounted in the vehicle according
to claim 1, wherein sides that form an angle in a front and rear of
the pedal are provided on the foot metal sheet to accept the first
suspension points.
6. A pedal for actuating a vehicle mounted in the vehicle according
to claim 2, wherein the springs are helical tension springs or
compression springs.
7. A pedal for actuating a vehicle mounted in the vehicle according
to claim 2, wherein the foot metal sheet has laterally mounted
contours that interact with bolts mounted on the pedal metal
sheet.
8. A pedal for actuating a vehicle mounted in the vehicle according
to claim 3, wherein the foot metal sheet has laterally mounted
contours that interact with bolts mounted on the pedal metal
sheet.
9. A pedal for actuating a vehicle mounted in the vehicle according
to claim 6, wherein the foot metal sheet has laterally mounted
contours that interact with bolts mounted on the pedal metal
sheet.
10. A pedal for actuating a vehicle mounted in the vehicle
according to claim 2, wherein sides that form an angle in a front
and rear of the pedal are provided on the foot metal sheet to
accept the first suspension points.
11. A pedal for actuating a vehicle mounted in the vehicle
according to claim 3, wherein sides that form an angle in a front
and rear of the pedal are provided on the foot metal sheet to
accept the first suspension points.
12. A pedal for actuating a vehicle mounted in the vehicle
according to claim 4, wherein sides that form an angle in a front
and rear of the pedal are provided on the foot metal sheet to
accept the first suspension points.
13. A pedal for actuating a vehicle mounted in the vehicle
according to claim 5, wherein sides that form an angle in a front
and rear of the pedal are provided on the foot metal sheet to
accept the first suspension points.
14. A pedal for actuating a vehicle mounted in the vehicle
according to claim 6, wherein sides that form an angle in a front
and rear of the pedal are provided on the foot metal sheet to
accept the first suspension points.
15. A pedal for actuating a vehicle mounted in the vehicle
according to claim 7, wherein sides that form an angle in a front
and rear of the pedal are provided on the foot metal sheet to
accept the first suspension points.
16. A pedal for actuating a vehicle mounted in the vehicle
according to claim 8, wherein sides that form an angle in a front
and rear of the pedal are provided on the foot metal sheet to
accept the first suspension points.
17. A pedal for actuating a vehicle mounted in the vehicle
according to claim 9, wherein sides that form an angle in a front
and rear of the pedal are provided on the foot metal sheet to
accept the first suspension points.
Description
[0001] This is a National Phase Application in the United States of
International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2008/000197 filed Jan.
11, 2008, which claims priority on German Patent Application No. DE
10 2007 002 576.0, filed Jan. 11, 2007. The entire disclosures of
the above patent applications are hereby incorporated by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention pertains to a pedal for actuating a
vehicle, in particular, a vehicle protected against mines and/or a
military vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A pedal unit in a vehicle is known, which includes a
mechanical unit connected to the vehicle itself via control cables
and valves. In particular, the brake pedal cannot be disconnected
mechanically from the lower area of the vehicle pan as a practical
matter (also due to legal regulations). However, the pedal unit
also experiences a linear momentum during a mine explosion, or the
like. This can be either through an impact while striking against
the torsion bar tunnel, or through transfer of the linear momentum
via suspension points, if the suspension is very stable (i.e.,
rigid). This linear momentum is then transmitted to the foot that
is on the pedal, thereby injuring the driver.
[0004] DE 101 17 575 A1 describes a device for the protection of
the crew during a mine explosion. A foot floor is arranged thereby
above the inner floor of the vehicle, which foot floor is supported
on one or more inflatable air springs from the inner floor of the
vehicle. This serves to disconnect the foot floor from the inner
floor of the vehicle, so that the forces resulting from a mine
explosion are not transmitted to the foot floor.
[0005] From DE 10 2004 054 A1 a foot support is known that is
arranged at a specified distance above the inner floor of the
vehicle. The foot plate, or a frame part carrying it, is supported
on the inner floor of the vehicle via pressure springs and is
stabilized towards the inner floor of the vehicle via connecting
elements that can transmit only tensile forces, but not compressive
forces.
[0006] DE 101 30 632 A1 proposes the installation of a vehicle seat
in the vehicle so that forces occurring during a mine explosion are
received by the underframe.
[0007] DE 101 45 279 B4 discloses the incorporation of an
intermediate floor in the interior of the vehicle. The height of
this intermediate floor is adjustable and it is fastened to the
side walls only at suspension mounts.
[0008] DE 40 11 963 A1 describes a shock linear momentum-isolating
device. This device has springs that have a particularly low
stiffness and damping, and are biased.
[0009] The above-identified solutions provide for a complete
separation of a plate, or the like, from the foot floor (i.e.,
floorboard) of the vehicle.
[0010] Furthermore, it is known to reduce the
introduction/transmission of force into the lower legs of the
occupants of a vehicle by means of predetermined breaking points.
The maximum load exhibited by the driver on the pedal can in
practice be up to 1000 N. In addition, these control parts must be
designed with a three-fold safeguard against breakage, so that the
lower limit up to which the predetermined breaking point must hold
is about 3000 N. The force exerted by the driver on the pedal
cannot be defined precisely itself because this depends on the
height at which the driver places his foot, or the position of the
pedal at the instant of mine actuation. Thus, it is not possible to
realize a defined predetermined breaking point.
[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a device
with which a shock effect on the foot or lower leg of a driver is
avoided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The object of the invention is attained by features of a
first embodiment pertaining to a pedal (1) for actuating a vehicle,
in particular a vehicle protected against mines and/or a military
vehicle, wherein the pedal includes: (a) at least two metal sheets
(10, 20), or the like, that include a foot metal sheet (10) and a
pedal metal sheet (20); and (b) at least two springs (14) between
the foot metal sheet (10) and the pedal metal sheet (20), wherein
the foot metal sheet (10) has suspension points (13) for the
springs (14) and corresponding suspension points (22) are provided
on the pedal metal sheet (20), and only the pedal metal sheet (20)
is directly connected to the vehicle floor pan of the vehicle via a
pan-mounted pivot bearing (23). Advantageous additional embodiments
of the present invention are as follows.
[0013] In accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention, a pedal according to the first embodiment is modified so
that the foot metal sheet (10) is mounted above the pedal metal
sheet (20). In accordance with a third embodiment of the present
invention, a pedal according to the first and second embodiments is
further modified so that the springs (14) are helical tension
springs or compression springs. In accordance with a fourth
embodiment of the present invention, a pedal in accordance with one
of the first through third embodiments is further modified so that
the foot metal sheet (10) has laterally mounted contours (11) that
interact with bolts (21) mounted on the pedal metal sheet (20). In
accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention, a
pedal according to one of the first through fourth embodiments is
further modified so that sides (12) that form an angle in the front
and rear are provided on the foot metal sheet (10) to accept the
suspension points (13).
[0014] The invention is based on the idea of undertaking a
disconnecting of the pedals, or of a pedal unit, from the foot of a
driver so that a complete transmission of the control forces for
gas and braking is guaranteed, but the linear momentum of a mine
explosion, or the like, is not transmitted to the foot of the
operator of the vehicle.
[0015] To this end, the solution, in accordance with the present
invention, provides for creating the actual pedal from metal sheets
(preferably two), or the like (plastic, etc.), spaced apart from
one another, wherein springs are integrated between the metal
sheets by means of which the metal sheets are spaced apart from one
another and through which changes in length between the metal
sheets, due to extreme accelerations, can be accepted without
elastic deformation.
[0016] In the case of a mine explosion, the two upper suspension
points of the springs accomplish a very rapid movement upwards from
the starting point, and likewise downwards again, in a short time.
The springs (due to the own mass of the spring wire) are not
capable hereby of reacting to these changes in spacing of the two
suspension points through an elastic deformation (drawing apart)
over their entire length. Instead, the upper coils of the springs
are plastically deformed.
[0017] On the other hand, loads present while driving with
distinctly lower accelerations, when they are above 1000 N, for
example, are accepted by the elastic deformation of the springs. At
loads above a lower limit, the metal sheets come to rest against
one another. If the same movement, as in the case of a mine, were
to take place much more slowly, the springs would react to the same
displacement of their upper suspension points through elastic
deformation. This can be the case, for example, with very high
dynamic drive loadings (e.g., contact with an obstacle). An
overstretching of the springs beyond their elastic range is
excluded in this case. Thus, a safeguard against breakage is also
completely guaranteed at all dynamic drive loadings.
[0018] Preferably, helical tension springs, for example coil
springs, are used as the springs when constructing the invention.
The use of helical tension springs, instead of compression springs
which can likewise be used, prevents a lateral breakaway of the
device in a simple manner.
[0019] So that the foot metal sheet cannot slip in the normal
control condition, it is provided that bolts from the pedal metal
sheet engage in a contour in the foot metal sheet and effect a
biasing of the helical tension springs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The invention is to be explained in more detail based on an
exemplary embodiment illustrated with drawings. They show:
[0021] FIG. 1, which is a representation of a foot metal sheet,
from the side, in accordance with the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a representation of a pedal metal sheet, in
accordance with the present invention, from a side view.
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates a pedal composed of components shown in
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in the "normal" control condition in a schematic
representation.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows the pedal from FIG. 3 in the case of a mine
explosion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a foot metal sheet 10 that, together with a
pedal metal sheet 20 shown in FIG. 2, forms the pedal 1 for a
vehicle control ready to be built into the vehicle (See, e.g., FIG.
3, FIG. 4). In accordance with the figures, 2 designates a foot of
a driver, not shown in more detail, that rests on the pedal 1,
which may be for gas, brake, and/or clutch, for example. The foot
metal sheet 10 has laterally attached contours 11 that interact
with bolts 21 attached to the pedal metal sheet 20 and prevent a
breakaway of the pedal 1. Moreover, the foot metal sheet 10 has
sides 12 that form an angle in the front and rear that end in the
suspension points 13 for at least two springs 14. The pedal metal
sheet 20 has corresponding suspension points 22 for the springs 14.
According to the figures, 23 denotes a pan-mounted pivot bearing
that takes over the function of the vehicle-mounted support of the
pedals.
[0026] The connections to the vehicle side are not shown in more
detail because these connections are constructed in a manner as
with conventional pedals.
[0027] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the pedal 1 while functioning, wherein
FIG. 3 describes the normal control condition. The foot metal sheet
10 is spaced apart from the pedal metal sheet 20 by means of the at
least two springs 14. If there is a shock impact on the pedal 1,
the foot metal sheet 10 is displaced with respect to the pedal
metal sheet 20 (See FIG. 4). Consequently, a transmission of the
linear momentum onto the foot 2 (the feet) does not take place. In
the case of a mine explosion, only the first coils of the springs
14 lying on the pedal metal sheet 20 experience a plastic
deformation due to the shock of the blast.
* * * * *